On Jan. 17, Fukuoka City announced that it had confirmed that wild raccoons, an invasive species, were living in the mountainous areas of Hakata, Minami, Sawara and Nishi wards. The City is asking residents to report raccoon sightings due to their impact on local ecosystems and the damages they cause to crops. It is also considering an extermination plan. Raccoons were first imported from North America as pets in the 1970s due to the impact of a popular cartoon. Escaped and abandoned pet raccoons later became wild. If you see a raccoon, please call the Environmental Coordination Section at City Hall (092-733-5389). Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 1/18
